The International Football Association Board – which determine the laws of the game – are currently putting various systems through their paces to see if they prove viable ahead of a possible
implementation later this year.

Hampshire-based Hawk-Eye – one of two systems being considered – will be tested in ‘live’ conditions during the clash between the Spitfires and Stags on May 16 to assess its reliability and
accuracy. It will also be used during a second game, to be announced in due course.

Only the testers, and not the match officials, will be able to use the technology, meaning it will have no effect the outcome of the game or any decisions made.

Hawk-Eye and rival system GoalRef are currently undergoing a second phase of testing.

A definitive decision on whether goal line technology will be given the green light is set to be made by the IFAB – made up of the English, Scottish and Welsh FAs, as well as world governing body
FIFA – at their special meeting on July 2.

Hampshire FA chief executive Neil Cassar said: "We are delighted to be working with IFAB and FIFA on the testing of goal line technology and fully support the initiative.

"Whilst the system will not be utilised by the match officials, it is particularly pleasing that the Hampshire FA Senior Cup Final has been selected as the live match for testing which will be the
first of its kind."

Comments (1)

Technology is all very well as long as it doesn’t spoil the spirit of the game.

Football is not a stop/start game by design. The only time the game stops is by a referee’s decision so, in the event of an error, what is the ref. to do, pull back play? Reset the match clock? And how far is the technology supposed to go down the league ladder? League two, BSS, Wessex league, Tyro league?

All this has been brought about by the rich clubs ( rich on paper that is, probably more like millions in debt ) but the fact that a wrong Ref’s decision will cost them millions is not the fault of or even the spirit of the rules of football.

I firmly believe that no Ref’s mistake is intentional and, using the `swings and roundabout` thing even themselves out

Technology is all very well as long as it doesn’t spoil the spirit of the game.
Football is not a stop/start game by design. The only time the game stops is by a referee’s decision so, in the event of an error, what is the ref. to do, pull back play? Reset the match clock? And how far is the technology supposed to go down the league ladder? League two, BSS, Wessex league, Tyro league?
All this has been brought about by the rich clubs ( rich on paper that is, probably more like millions in debt ) but the fact that a wrong Ref’s decision will cost them millions is not the fault of or even the spirit of the rules of football.
I firmly believe that no Ref’s mistake is intentional and, using the `swings and roundabout` thing even themselves outsburman